Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 December 2017 20 March 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children demonstrate that they feel very happy and secure in the care of the experienced childminder. For instance, they give her regular cuddles and snuggle up to her as she reads them their chosen stories. Children welcome visitors to join in with their play and confidently talk about how excited they are about Christmas.  The childminder takes children on a range of outings that reflect their interests, such as visits to a local farm. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they enjoy rides in a cart, pulled by a tractor. They feed animals and also observe and learn about their habitats.  The childminder is committed to developing her knowledge and skills. She regularly completes training and shares good practice with other childminders. Recent training has increased her understanding of using an even wider range of materials, such as large cardboard boxes, to stimulate children's imagination and problem-solving skills.

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This provision is good

 Children develop good social skills. The childminder provides them with many opportunities to mix with other children at organised groups. This helps them to build friendships and develops their understanding of similarities and differences.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently adapt activities to fully support younger children in their learning.  The childminder does not always gather detailed enough information from parents about their child's prior learning to precisely inform planning from the outset.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 help younger children to fully engage in all activities  gain more detailed information from parents about what their child knows and can already do when they first start.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector interacted and spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a secure understanding of possible signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows how to take swift action, to protect children's welfare in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides, seeking the views of parents and children. This ensures that she acts effectively to address any areas for improvement. The childminder carefully reviews children's progress to swiftly address any gaps in their learning. Parents are delighted with the high level of professionalism that the childminder demonstrates.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder understands the importance of not interrupting children's play as they are deeply absorbed in their imagination. Children are inquisitive. They express a deep fascination in a garlic clove and ask the childminder many questions. This helps to build on their understanding of the natural world and how things grow. Children develop the small muscles in their hands in preparation for writing. For instance, they carefully peel away the thin skin on the clove. The childminder expresses a genuine interest in what children choose to talk about. This motivates them to use new words they have recently learnt, such as 'carousel', within their complex sentences.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and use good manners. Older children are positive role models for younger children. They welcome them to join in with their play and demonstrate a genuine respect for them. Children follow a good hygiene routine. They enjoy a wide range of nutritious home-cooked meals. The childminder provides them with good opportunities to taste new foods, such as raw mushrooms and traditional food from other countries. Daily access to the childminder's garden and regular visits to local parks and soft-play centres help children to develop good physical skills. They learn how to climb and balance on a varied range of apparatus and equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning. Children are independent. They manage their outer clothing and help to prepare their own healthy snack. Children solve mathematical problems. They predict the weight of items and test their ideas, using balancing scales. Children recognise the numbers on the advent calendar and work out how many days are left until Christmas day. They express a very keen interest in books and retell their favourite stories using the pictures on the pages. They gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129162 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1101779 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 20 March 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1988 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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